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lumen and in the cytoplasm are identical. None show a nucleus but 

 when the lumen for a distance is examined, a few of these bodies 

 possess nuclei: and those with nuclei are the same as the red blood 

 corpuscles in the corpora adiposa. This fact would seem to indicate 

 clearly that these bodies are all red blood corpuscles in various stages 

 of degeneration. The bodies in the cytoplasm occupy the vacuoles, 

 sometimes completely filling them. Occasionally, there are bodies of con- 

 siderable size but in the main, they are smaller than those in the lumen. 



Figure 7 a is an outline of a normal red blood corpuscle which 

 shows by how much these bodies have decreased in size. Figure 7 b 

 shows some of the largest of the degenerating red blood corpuscles with 

 their irregular outline. On one side small particles are breaking off. 



Figure 8 shows how very abundant there degenerating particles are 

 in some cells. They are the most conspicuous part of the cell contents. 



The degeneration of the red corpuscles begins in the corpora 

 adiposa and increases in the kidney. It is rare to find in the kidney 



cO 



Fig. 7. Fig. 8. 



Fig. 7. a. normal red blood corpuscle, b. degenerating red blood corpuscle. 

 Fig. 8. Gives some idea of the relative abundance of the degenerating red blood 

 corpuscles in the cytoplasm. 



any of these red blood corpuscles with a nucleus. The kidney cells 

 are apparently engulfing the degenerating particles. The effect on them 

 is profound and it is impossible to be sure that they would have suc- 

 ceeded in their task. The animal was normal so far as observed and 

 was kept for several weeks with many others in an acquarium before 

 being killed. 



That different cells of the body may assume this phagocytic role 

 is not unknown but so far as our opportunity to consult the literature 

 has been possible ; it is unusual for the kidney cells to assume this 

 role and has not been previously reported for the frog. 



I am under obligations to Dr. H. S. Steensland, pathologist of 

 the Syracuse Medical College, for assistance in interpreting these un- 

 usual conditions. 



December 1, 1907. 



